Plant Taxonomy (BIOL308) - Stephen G. Saupe, Ph.D.; Biology Department, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University, Collegeville, MN 56321; ssaupe@csbsju.edu; http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe/ |
Lab 1 - Plant Collecting Techniques
Objectives: upon completion of today's lab you should be able to:
describe appropriate techniques for collecting and preparing herbarium specimens
compare and contrast specimens preserved by freezing, drying and chemical preservatives
begin your plant collection
identify poison ivy (and jewelweed)
Assignment Due:
Read: Simpson text, Chapter 17; Field safety; Lab safety; Plant Collection Information
Wear clothing appropriate for going into the field (long pants, close-toed shoes, raincoat, etc).
Bring to lab: this handout, three copies of the Field Record Form; signed Safety Contract
Supplemental Readings:
Field Techniques Used by Missouri Botanical Garden by R. Liesner is a great reference.
Poison ivy - University of Texas article (http://nac.tamu.edu/x075bb/caddo/frameidx.html; Poison Ivy info center (http://poisonivy.aesir.com/; Wayne's Word article
"Section 2 - Plant Collecting" in Guide to Plant Collection and Identification - by Jane Bowles (U Western Ontario)
Directions for building a plant drier � by Dr. N Zaczkowski, CSB/SJU Biology Department
BLM land Survey Information System - http://www.geocommunicator.gov/GeoComm/lsis_home/home/index.html
Plants to Know: We expect to see the following species during lab and these will be "fair game" on the PTK quiz/exam. It is possible that other species may be included.
Anacardiaceae - Toxicodendron rydbergii (Western poison ivy)
Assignment Due Next Lab: Turn in your Field Notebook. This notebook should be a 3-ring binder dedicated to this course with a title page (Plant Taxonomy � Biology 308 Field & Laboratory Notebook, your name, address, phone) and dividers for three sections (Plant Collection; Lab Identifications; Family Quizzes). In the plant collection section insert, in order: Plant Collection Information handout, Plant Collection Grading Worksheet, a copy of the Herbarium Label template, a folded packet, and Field Record Forms for a each of the plants (minimum ten) that you�ve collected. The specimens do not need to be identified. However, the collection data does need to be complete (except for ID section).
Introduction:
Preparing plant specimens is an important part of plant
taxonomy. As a consequence, each student will be required to prepare a
collection of 20 specimens. The purpose of today�s lab is to show you
techniques used to make a plant collection for you to begin your plant
collection. Details about this assignment are provided in
the
General Information page for our course and the
Plant Collection
Information handout. During lab we will complete the following
exercises:
Exercise 1 � Comparison of
Preservation Methods
In the lab there will be examples of specimens that have been prepared
by pressing and drying (herbarium specimens), freezing and liquid
preservatives. Examine the specimens. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of each technique? Which would be best to document the flora of a
particular site? Which would you use to study chromosomal number? Which would
you use to study DNA?
Exercise 2 � Assembling a
Plant Press
You will be assigned to
prepare a collection of 20 herbarium specimens. To complete this assignment you
will need to assemble your plant press. To do so:
Obtain a press frame with straps, 15 ventilators (cardboard sheets) and 28 dryers (blotters).
Assemble your press as described, in the following sequence: frame � cardboard � 2 blotters � cardboard � 2 blotters � etc � frame.
Bind the frame together with the strap. If your frame has guides for the strap it is usually easiest to use only two on one side of the press or none at all.
Exercise 3 � The Vasculum
After plants are
collected in the field, most botanists place them in a plastic garbage bag to
transport back to the lab. A vasculum is a metal container that was once
popular for transporting plants. Examine the vasculum in lab. In both cases, a
damp paper towel or newsprint can be placed in the bottom to provide extra
moisture/humidity. What are the advantages and disadvantages of plastic bags
versus the vasculum?
Exercise 4 �
Collecting/Pressing Plants
We will go into the
field together to collect a few specimens to press. Before heading into the
field to gather plants, you will need to gather your collecting supplies
including field notes, pen, digging tool, plastic bag or vasculum, pruners, GPS
unit, clipboard, ruler(s) and other materials. Once in the field, collect
at least three specimens; one grass, one tree/shrub and one forb (non-grass
herbaceous plant). Record your notes. Be sure to note the size of woody plants
and to get the roots of herbaceous plants. Return to the lab and press the
specimens that you collected. I will provide more directions in class.
Prepare a �Field
Record� for each specimen that you collect. These should be placed in your
Notebook in order. Once your plants have been pressed, placed the press in
one of our driers (stand it on edge) or feel free to take it home to collect on
your own.
Exercise 5 � Poison Ivy
One plant that you�ll
want to avoid contact is poison ivy. In the field I will show you how to
recognize Toxicodendron radicans (Western poison ivy). You should be
able to describe the habit, leaves and fruits of this plant. Why does it cause
dermatitis in sensitive individuals? What chemical is responsible for
poisoning? What are some of poison ivy�s relatives? Note: there are a few
other plants that cause dermatitis (wild parsnip) but they are not particularly
common so we will not discuss them further.
Exercise 6 � Packet
Preparation
It is often necessary to make a packet for loose
materials that separate from your specimens. I will show you how to fold a
typical packet. Fold a packet using the paper provided and then punch holes along one side
to insert into your Notebook.
Supplies Required
plant presses (frames, straps, ventilators, driers; one per student)
press sign-up sheet
newsprint
plastic collecting (garbage) bags (one per student)
vasculum
pruners
knife (digging tool)
enamel pan
waxed paper
small sheets of herbarium paper
packet paper
label sheets
genus folder (one per student)
labels for cubbies
frozen specimens
liquid-preserved specimens
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Last updated:
09/29/2008 / � Copyright by SG
Saupe